just purchased a used 1999 ram 2500 with the 24 valve and 5 speed. 230,000 mile,,has an engine exhaust brake, which works great. has a new "updated" fuel system supposedly. and all new tranny/clutch.

anyway, i'm not a diesel guy but am a decent backyard mechanic.

leaks a lot of oil whenever i park, big spots, (but not a puddle). drove 200 miles pulling a small atv trailer, freeway, used the cruise control and got 11 mpg. put in 2 quarts of oil, a quart up and a quart coming back.

the oil seems to be blowing down the truck, it is inside the fenders, and got on the front of the trailer i was towing.

any ideas? could the exhaust brake be creating a lot of crankcase pressure which blew out a oil pan gasket or rear seal?

any opinions appreciated. thanks

 

I will repeat a previous post.
Does the AC and heater doors workquickly and correctlly? Does speed control work? Does 4WD work correctlly and lock in 4LO? If you answer yes, try this. Find the vacuum line from the vac pump (in front of Power steering pump) Plug the hose going into pump and drive the dog tar out of unit. If problem is resolved find the source of leak.
Next clean the gunk off front of engine, fan and radiator. You will be overheating soon. Fix the breather by extending tube futher down or look for way to move breather hose.

 

This may be obvious, but, what is your oil level when it is finished leaking? If it is oiled above a certain point it will blow out your vent tube and make a mess. Just make sure it is in the "Safe" zone and not above...

 

Which side of the engine is it on? Get some of that engine degreaser and clean the engine. Then check it everyday or twice a day to look for where the leak starts at. Start at the top and work down, look around the PS pump and vacuum pump. My vacuum pump has been leaking for a few years now, looks like a heck of a lot of oil but don't notice it on the dipstick over 6-7-8500 mile oil changes.

You can relocate the breather and keep the oil off your engine and put it on your tranny and rear. I always figured it's gonna puke oil anyhow so why bother moving it. If you look at your engine enough, real good, then you'll notice things that have changed. Good luck!

 

thanks for the tips everyone. the oil leak looks very much like it is coming from the vacuum pump/power steering unit. i thought it was that steel braided hose but now think it's coming from the unit itself. is taking that thing apart a complicated job?

is it very technical putting back together again? as stated, i am a decent backyard mechanic.

would a bad vacuum pump cause poor milage?

 

See your other post. PIA, but if you are a decent shade tree you can handle the job. Have a buddy assist, a 3rd hand helps a lot.